Julia
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Julia is the first of seven children and the only girl. She rises early in the morning to pick vegetables, grind corn, and begin the process of preparing breakfast. She does not go to school; she tends to the home so her brothers can go. Her mother has aged beyond her 28 years, moving slowly, waiting for her eighth child to be born.
Julia lives in the highlands of central South America. She is ten years old, loves to draw, and loves to listen to her transistor radio. She fantasizes often about the songs she hears, wondering what it would be like to live in a city, to have running water, and to have lots of friends. Her mountain village is only accessible by foot or cart and donkey.
She traveled once to the city three hours away when she was sick. She was too ill to remember the journey. Julia had a dark spot on her leg, just above her knee. Then she got a boil. The local midwife lanced it, but it became infected. The wound festered and soon encompassed her entire thigh. She was taken to the city. The doctors took one look at her, told her she had a tick inside her leg and took her to surgery. Eight hours later, she woke up in excruciating pain with her leg amputated just below the hip. That was two years ago.
When Julia was in the hospital, the nurses befriended her. They introduced her to a Christian woman, Becky, who had three daughters. The girls visited Julia often and helped distract her when the pain was unbearable. Julia had to remain in the city for three months, living with her new friends.
Becky made no apology in telling Julia about Jesus -- about a cross, about sacrifice, and about hope. It fascinated Julia. Why would anyone want to have a son and choose to see him die? There were days when Julia wanted to die, but her mother wouldn't have felt the same. Julia asked Becky many questions.
When the rehabilitation time was finished, Julia made plans to return to her village. But she knew things would never be the same. She was riding out her time until the day she could return to the big city. Julia was going to work for the church, teaching children. She knew in her heart that was what she was going to do.
It's very difficult to walk on the mountainous terrain with only one leg, but Julia doesn't complain too much. She knows she'll never marry because in her village a woman's worth is equal to the work she can accomplish. And Julia can hardly carry anything.
Even though she is only ten, Julia is much older than her age. She cares for her younger brothers and helps her mother as best she can. Julia hopes she will have a baby sister who will one day grow up to help her around the house.
Every day she wakes up early in her village to pick vegetables, grind corn, and begin preparing breakfast. She will do what is expected of her. She will help out until she is old enough to leave. It's worth it. She has a future to wait for.
Julia lives in the highlands of central South America. She is ten years old, loves to draw, and loves to listen to her transistor radio. She fantasizes often about the songs she hears, wondering what it would be like to live in a city, to have running water, and to have lots of friends. Her mountain village is only accessible by foot or cart and donkey.
She traveled once to the city three hours away when she was sick. She was too ill to remember the journey. Julia had a dark spot on her leg, just above her knee. Then she got a boil. The local midwife lanced it, but it became infected. The wound festered and soon encompassed her entire thigh. She was taken to the city. The doctors took one look at her, told her she had a tick inside her leg and took her to surgery. Eight hours later, she woke up in excruciating pain with her leg amputated just below the hip. That was two years ago.
When Julia was in the hospital, the nurses befriended her. They introduced her to a Christian woman, Becky, who had three daughters. The girls visited Julia often and helped distract her when the pain was unbearable. Julia had to remain in the city for three months, living with her new friends.
Becky made no apology in telling Julia about Jesus -- about a cross, about sacrifice, and about hope. It fascinated Julia. Why would anyone want to have a son and choose to see him die? There were days when Julia wanted to die, but her mother wouldn't have felt the same. Julia asked Becky many questions.
When the rehabilitation time was finished, Julia made plans to return to her village. But she knew things would never be the same. She was riding out her time until the day she could return to the big city. Julia was going to work for the church, teaching children. She knew in her heart that was what she was going to do.
It's very difficult to walk on the mountainous terrain with only one leg, but Julia doesn't complain too much. She knows she'll never marry because in her village a woman's worth is equal to the work she can accomplish. And Julia can hardly carry anything.
Even though she is only ten, Julia is much older than her age. She cares for her younger brothers and helps her mother as best she can. Julia hopes she will have a baby sister who will one day grow up to help her around the house.
Every day she wakes up early in her village to pick vegetables, grind corn, and begin preparing breakfast. She will do what is expected of her. She will help out until she is old enough to leave. It's worth it. She has a future to wait for.
